Are Tire 'Flat Stoppers' necessary for winter storage??

I've got a 2012 RT that's "new" to me so I'm clueless on most things Spyder. With so many opinions on the internet/YT, I thought I'd check the forum here. Didn't catch anything on my 1st search of the topic so I hope I'm not annoying you all with a "same old question" asked and answered a million times.

If storing in my garage (now on a battery tender) for winter months - I'm guessing 3 more months at this point, should the wheels be on flat stoppers? I've got a local friend who owns a Spyder who swears by them and said she never stores w/o them. Haven't seen much written on it, so I'm curious what you all find. I Certainly don't want to cause flat spots in the tires from 4mo of winter storage.

Thanks!!
Mike

Hello Mike2012RT, I have never used them (flat stoppers) and have never had a problem. I just put the battery tender on and put fuel stabilizer in the gas if the Spyder is going to sit for some time.

I have never used them. We stored our bikes in Alaska from November through March most years. A little air and about 10 miles will take any "kinks" out.

I don't think I'd bother with them. The weight of a Spyder vs tire on the ground is not high. Radial tires do not get the same flat spot issue that the old biased ply tires did. I've never had a problem. Stored a Spyder for over 4 years without creating a flat spot, though I did keep the tires aired up.

Nope. Battery tender, full gas tank with some stabilizer, and don't start it unless you're going to ride and get it up to full operating temperature.

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Originally Posted by Navydad

Nope. Battery tender, full gas tank with some stabilizer, and don't start it unless you're going to ride and get it up to full operating temperature.

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Absolutely correct thing to do.

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Originally Posted by ARtraveler

I have never used them. We stored our bikes in Alaska from November through March most years. A little air and about 10 miles will take any "kinks" out.

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:agree:

Thanks all for chiming in. Since the verdict seems to be don't bother that's what i'm going with!!

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Originally Posted by Mike2012RT

I've got a 2012 RT that's "new" to me so I'm clueless on most things Spyder. With so many opinions on the internet/YT, I thought I'd check the forum here. Didn't catch anything on my 1st search of the topic so I hope I'm not annoying you all with a "same old question" asked and answered a million times.

If storing in my garage (now on a battery tender) for winter months - I'm guessing 3 more months at this point, should the wheels be on flat stoppers? I've got a local friend who owns a Spyder who swears by them and said she never stores w/o them. Haven't seen much written on it, so I'm curious what you all find. I Certainly don't want to cause flat spots in the tires from 4mo of winter storage.

Thanks!!
Mike

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My Spyder is in my warm basement for the winter so this doesn't apply to me ..... HOWEVER - I do have other cars that are out all winter ( in Vermont ) and I inflate those tires to slightly above the max psi on those tires .... they don't flat spot over the winter ..... If you do the same to your Spyder , they won't flat-spot either ....Mike :thumbup:

:congrats::welcome: Plenty threads on hibernation & prevention
https://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/...rge-maintainer

I leave my spyder on these HF furniture movers so I can move it out of the way for the off season. Have never had an issue.

Wow! A subject that everyone agrees on! This is AMAZING! :thumbup:

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Originally Posted by BajaRon

Wow! A subject that everyone agrees on! This is AMAZING! :thumbup:

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:roflblack:

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Originally Posted by Bensonoid

I leave my spyder on these HF furniture movers so I can move it out of the way for the off season. Have never had an issue.

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Yup.. Same here. Also add a few extra PSI to the tires for storage.

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Originally Posted by Bensonoid

I leave my spyder on these HF furniture movers so I can move it out of the way for the off season. Have never had an issue.

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Cheers for reminding me about those Ben.
I will see whats available down here.
Not that we have to store bikes for months on end but it could free up some floor-space room and park them closer.
Easy to move to access stuff in the shed. Like cupboards with occasional required stuff.

Hell push the boat out and make up some "outrigger style" ( tyres and side-stand) sets for the 2 wheelers. Stack em closer. Can only ride 1 at a time after all. Even more room and maneuverability. Himmm.

Your photos show they will be simple to knock up a set.
12 rollers, some 1"x3" timber to cut up and 36 bolts to tie them together. Have to price up I guess.

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Originally Posted by Isopedella

Cheers for reminding me about those Ben.
I will see whats available down here.
Not that we have to store bikes for months on end but it could free up some floor-space room and park them closer.
Easy to move to access stuff in the shed. Like cupboards with occasional required stuff.

Hell push the boat out and make up some "outrigger style" ( tyres and side-stand) sets for the 2 wheelers. Stack em closer. Can only ride 1 at a time after all. Even more room and maneuverability. Himmm.

Your photos show they will be simple to knock up a set.
12 rollers, some 1"x3" timber to cut up and 36 bolts to tie them together. Have to price up I guess.

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I bought my three thru Harbor Freight on a Black Friday sale for $9.80/each. Heck, they're only $13/each normally. I don't what you have available in NZ though ..

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Originally Posted by BajaRon

Wow! A subject that everyone agrees on! This is AMAZING! :thumbup:

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Maybe Hell did freeze over, It felt like it here a couple of mornings

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Originally Posted by 3Tyme

Maybe Hell did freeze over, It felt like it here a couple of mornings

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That must be it! Not sure why I didn't think of it. Both are on the same plane of improbability. My wife says I should have kept quiet. 'Now', she tells me, 'someone will disagree and ruin the vibe!' So, I'm going to enjoy it while it lasts!:rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by 3Tyme

Maybe Hell did freeze over, It felt like it here a couple of mornings

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Hasn't it though? Now we get to tread water for a week.

Never worried about flat spots, Can Am or motorcycles. Used Sta-Bil most years, unless I forget. Always on a battery tender anyway. Give it a wipe down to get the dust off. I've never had a problem from November to March storage. Pretty cold in my garage over the winter, and hot over the summer so I find batteries don't last as long as they should, so I check the voltage when the bike is running and charging. Modern machines seem very sensitive to having a good battery so every other year at least one of my machines seems to need one.

Set tires to 20/28 in the spring. Go for a long enough ride to get everything all warmed up, fresh tank of gas (premium, I don't worry about Ethanol free) and it's all set. Book it in for an oil and filter and I'm ready to go for the year.